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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Graham believe is visiting Malta?

2. Who is Effendi?

3. Why does Aubrey request camels immediately?

4. What does Lesueur want Mrs. Fielding to do?

5. Whom does Lesueur suspect of being an undercover agent for England?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is it like in Malta and why does that not cheer up the British officers?

2. How does Ponto's behavior set people to gossiping?

3. Why do Maturin and Aubrey argue about the diving bell and what do they decide?

4. How do the men that respond to Captain Aubrey's summons appear?

5. Briefly describe the men's march through the desert.

6. What does Aubrey fear about his crew as time passes?

7. What does Aubrey do with his prize money?

8. How does Aubrey "misbehave" and what is the result?

9. What does Aubrey find when he checks on his crew?

10. Describe Jack Aubrey.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often in O'Brian's series involving Jack Aubrey, his ship and/or life is saved by extraordinary means. Discuss the following:

1. Research and define the literary term "narrative contrivance."

2. Identify and analyze a time in the book when O'Brian makes free use of the technique of narrative contrivance to save Aubrey and his ship in Treason's Harbour.

3. Does the use of narrative contrivance diminish the impact of the plot and the believability of the storyline?

4. Is there any other way O'Brian could have a mixture of suspense and action while at the same time making certain the main characters are not killed?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Treason's Harbour based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if it is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that Treason's Harbour falls within the genre of historical fiction changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Treason then, as now, is considered one of the most heinous crimes a citizen can commit and is often punishable by death. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think treason is considered to be so detestable than as now?

2. Do you think the crime of treason is always bad enough to warrant a death sentence? Should the spy who betrays the English so that they do not find the treasure ship be punished with death? Why or why not?

3. During WWII, many Germans performed treasonous acts for the Allies because they believed the acts of Hitler were immoral. Do you think they should have been punished after the war by the German government? Why or why not? Should the allied nations protect those "traitors" that gave them information to help their cause in defeating Hitler? Is it treason to fight against an corrupt and immoral government in your country?

(see the answer keys)

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